Method of and apparatus for



May 27, 1952 H. c. u|-|| Re. 23,509

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TWISTING YARN Original Filed Aug. 1, 1947 10 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Henry C Uhl/ ay! W. 1/4! ATTORNEY May 27, 1952 H. c. UHLIG METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TWISTING YARN 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Or-iwinal Filed Aug. 1, 1947 bwm INVENTOR Henry C. Uhhlg are 161w 044w ATTORNEY May 27, 1952 H. c. UHLIG Re. 23,509

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TWISTING YARN Original Filed Aug. 1, 1947 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 as 6 220 .L j gay 3 222' k I 24 6 Q 28 L 32 A7 298 35 256 I v 338 35 F 9 I62 I V 5 LI I68 M6 .E' u I m4 U A [/6 24 32 E l 22 Q 5 66 g 58 w 6: f9 7 ,9 6' o L 2 6 I INVENTOR Hen yC (1 7 1? W). ATTORNEY May 27, 1952 H. c. UHLIG METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TWISTING YARN Original Filed Aug. 1, 1947 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 Wm. 010w ATTORNEY May 27, 1952 H. c. UHLIG METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TWISTING YARN l0 SheetsSheet 5 Original Filed Aug. 1, 194'? a a U z a 9 7 2 u 8 0 6 w W m m .....I. 1-]- 2-- n 2. 2 8 2 0 6.. n o u 7 6 6 u 0 0 Z 8 4 8. 7 w n 8 8 7 2 H- 0 l/ 7 \\\m yfiwz/z/jz //.-\\\\\\NJ\\\\ 5 0 6 A 6 ,1 6 8 .7 4 9 W 9 a rfi/ 6 7 A A Q 3 Ur 6 7 r w 9 V 779/ 44A- INVENTOR May 27, 1952 H. c. UHLIG METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TWISTING YARN l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed Aug. 1, 1947 u, 0 U 0 6 A M r Cr,- L I V A////////// 7//// ////P //A// M v /////v//////%4/ /A/ k 8 Z .7 2 0 8 2 Z 0 2 0 8 I. Z a 9 U 2 4 3 H u 0 3 w 2 3 a 0 V 8 1 H M A. vvv///vvvv////w//v/v/vv//// ,7 2 8 8 2 N v, M a 0 H m M 8 U 2 J 0 u F Z mm B a H m K Fl 2 i M a 4 II. 0% M Q RNVENTOR Henry C. Uh/ig BY ATTORNEY y 27, 1952 H. c. UHLIG Re. 23,509

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TWISTING YARN Original Filed Aug. 1, 1947 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR Henry CJ/h/ig w- (Ma-4 ATTORNEY H. c. UHLIG Re. 23,509

May 27, 1952 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TWISTING YARN l0 Sheets-Sheet 9 Original Filed Aug. 1, 1947 Fig]5:

260 g I i 278 2 20 INVENTOR Henry CUM/lg All/1% ATTO RNEY May 27, 1952 c UHLIG Re. 23,509

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TWISTING YARN Original Filed Aug. 1., 1947 l0 Sheets-$heet l0 3/0 jawk- INVENTOR Hen U cm; 1/

ATTORNEY Reissued May 21, 1952 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR 'I'WIS'I'ING YARN Henry C. Uhlig, Clifton, N. 1., alsignor, by mesne ter Corporatio en Howe M Jersey City, N. 1., a corporation of New Jersey Original No. 2,487,837, dated November iii, 1949, Serial No. 765,577, August 1, 1947. Application for reissue November 7, 1950, Serial No. 104,550

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets I: 1 appears in the original patentbut forms no part oi' this reissue specification: matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

89 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for twisting yarn. More particularly the invention relates to the twisting of yarn into threads and the cabling of such threads into a cabled or stranded cord.

The invention has among its objects, the provision of an improved method for twisting yam which makes possible, in one operation involving but one unreeling step and one reeling-up step, the twisting of a plurality of the yarns to threads and the cabling of such threads to cords.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a relatively simple apparatus, which is flexible in its operation, for carrying out such method.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision, in such apparatus, of an improved reeling device for cabling the threads, such device including means for imposing a. predetermined tension on the threads being cabled.

Yet another object of the invention resides in the provision in such apparatus, of an improved thread feeding means for receiving the separate twisted threads and forwarding them to the cabling reel.

A still further object of the invention lies in the provision, in the reeling device, of an improved loading or cable laying finger and of a novel traverse mechanism therefor.

These and further objects of the invention will be more readily apparent in the following description of preferred embodiments oi the method and apparatus of the invention.

There is a wide-spread need in industry for the cabling of threads. Among the most common uses for such cabled threads may be cited their employment as reinforcing cords in automobile tires and in V belts. It is most usual at present to employ for such cause the various synthetics, such as rayon and nylon, because of their strength, and their heat and flexure resistance. Both of such materials are formed as fine fibers extruded from spinnerets, a plurality of such fibers being wound in the form of a flat ribbon or yarn to form a cake." It is with the forming of cords from such yarns with which the present invention is primarily concerned, although it is to be understood that the method and the apparatus of the invention may be used to advantage in forming cords from other fine fiber threads and also from fine wire. The words yarn, "thread," and "cord as used in the present speciflcation and claims are therefore to be broadly construed to include such materials, although the invention will be particularly described in connecglon with the twisting of rayon yarn to form cor In practicing prior art methods for performing such yarn twisting operation, it has been necessary, first, to form a plurality of separate threads by twisting the yarns usually all in one direction, the resulting threads being reeled upon a separate bobbin for each thread. Such threads were then, in a separate. subsequent, operation, fed from such bobbins and twisted together, usually in a direction opposite to the direction oi twist of the individual threads. There were thus necessary two separate and distinct operations, each of which involved feeding from bobbins. twisting (more properly cabling in the second operation), and reeling the resultant twisted product on a bobbin. Such prior method was unduly time consuming, and in effect required a duplication of at least some of the elements of the apparatus, in carrying out the two twisting steps of the method.

The method and apparatus of the present invention make possible the production of cabled or stranded cord from yarn in one continuous operation. Generally, the method involves feeding two or more yarns from separate supply bobbins, the bobbins being mounted on twisting spindles preferably of such character as to impart a double twist to the yarn and thus to form a thread. Each such thread so formed is then fed continuously to a cabling reel, being combined in their travel thereto, so that the cord laid upon the bobbin in the cabling reel unit is composed of two or more twisted threads cabled together. The invention will be more readily understood by a consideration of the drawings appended hereto in which:

Figure l is a view in perspective of a preferred embodiment of the yarn twisting machine of the invention:

Figure 2 is a view in front elevation of such machine, the view being taken from a plane parallel to that containing the axes of the yarn supplying bobbins;

Figure 3 is a somewhat diagrammatic view in vertical transverse section through the apparatus. the spindles, at the left in Figure 3, being shown as they appear irom the line III-III in Figure 2. and the supporting structure therefor, at the right in Figure 3 being shown as it appears from a vertical transverse plane through line III-III and thus through the right-hand end of the frame shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view in plan of the apparatus shown in Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 5 is a view in vertical section through sauce 3 theatre! the double twisting device serving an a support for a yarn supply bobbin;

Figure 6 is an enlarged viewinvertical section showing details of construction oi the device showninFigure Figure 'l is a view in side elevation of a stationary yarn tensioning device employed in the apparatus shown in Figure 5;

Flgureeisaviewsimilartothatofrigure'l with the tensioning device turned 90 about its engaging block employed in the yarn tensioning device;

Figure 12 is a view in vertical section through the axis oi the cabling reel unit:

Figure 13 is a view in cross-section through such cabling reel unit. the section being taken along the line XIII-XIII in Figure 12;

Figure 14 is an enlarged view in vertical crosssection through the base of the cabling reel unit, the section being taken along the line XIV-XIV inFigure 13;

Figure 15 is a view in front elevation of the traverse mechanism for the loading finger employed with the cabling reel unit;

Figure 16 is a view in side elevation of such traverse mechanism;

Figure 17 is a view in rear elevation of the traverse mechanism;

Figure 18 is a view in plan of the traverse mechanism;

Figure 19 is a horizontal section through the traverse mechanism. the section being taken along the line XIX-XIX in Figure 15;

Figure 20 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the loading finger supporting unit;

Figure 21 is a view in plan of the unit shown in Figure 20; and

Figure 22 is a view in vertical section through such unit, the section being taken along the line HUI-XXII in Figure 20.

The preferred embodiment of the yarn twisting apparatus or the invention, which is shown more generally in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, includes a framework generally designated 2, of which the corner vertical supports are designated I, the lower front cross member 6, the lower rear cross member 8, the intermediate rear cross member it, the top front cross member i0, and the top rear cross member II. In Figures 2 to 4, inclusive, such irameworlr is generally omitted, only the additional lower cross member 46 forming the supporting means for the yarn twisting units and the cabling reel unit being shown. Member 48 is attached to intermediate end frame members, 01 which one is shown at il in Figure 1. In the apparatus illustrated, there are employed two bobbin supporting and yarn twisting devices, the left hand such unit being designated 20, and the right hand such unit being designated 2!. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the use 0! two such units, each supplying a twisted thread to the cabling reel unit, but that there may be employed any desired number, from two upwards, of yarn twisting devices, depending upon the number of twisted threads desired in the cord. It is also to be understood that whereas l 4 inthedeviceshownthetwothreadsaretwisted separatelyinthesamedirection (hand) andare twisted together to form a cord in the direction (hand) opposite to the twist of the individual threads, such procedure is subject to variation as desired. Thusitisposeibietotwistthe threads themselves and the threads together all in the same direction. or to twist some of the individual threads in one hand and some in the other. In the last case, the threads will usually be twisted together to form a cord in a direction opposite to that of the twist of the majority of threads being twisted together.

The cabling reel unit shown at N is preferably although not necessarily, located between twisting devices Ill and 22. In the embodiment shown. the axes of spindles 20, I2, and 24 lie in a common plane. The axes of spindles 20 and are spaced equal distances from that of spindle 24. as shown in Fig. 2. capstan II is located with its axis substantially at a right angle to the axis of spindle H, the axis oi spindle I4 substantially intersecting the capstan. as is evident Irom Figs. 1-4, inclusve. As a result, threads 2! and 32 travel substantially equal distances from their respective guiding eye Ill to capstan II. Generally the yarn, shown wound on a bobbin at 20 in twisting device It, is fed therefrom in the form of a twisted thread 28, and the similar yarn shown at in twisting device 22 is fed therefrom as twisted thread 32. Preferably the yarn is in the form of flat yarn," that is, one in the form 01' a tape of generally rectangular cross-section,.

the width of the tape materially exceeding its thickness. The two such twisted threads are brought together at capstan 33 in parallel untwisted relationship, from the stepped capstan ll continuing their travel in such relationship through the compensator and shock absonber generally designated 38, from which they emerge, as shown at 34. In that portion of its travel downwardly from the compensator until it enters the cabling reel unit 14, the two threads are given one twist about each other, and in that portion or its travel shown at 36 in which it rises through the center of the cord receiving bobbin, it receives another twist, following which is is laid or loaded onto the bobbin, as shown at I1.

The yarn twisting devices 20 and 22. the cabling reel unit 24, and the stepped capstan 38, are all driven by means of the vertically mounted electric motor 38 secured to the frame as shown, the motor carrying pulley I over which and the idler pulley H is trained the flat belt 42. The idler pulley is supported on member 40 by means of the intermediate support 48, devices 20, I2, and 24 likewise deriving their support from member 48. Member 48 is braced against turning by reason of the connection between part 58, attached thereto, and a cross member of the irame. (See Figure 3.) Such frame cross member has a front portion 69 at right angles to the spindles terminating at member I8, and a horizontal rear part 8! attached to the rear of the frame. Device 20 is supported on a sleeve, shown at Bil, connected to intermediate support and journal bearing II. Device 2! is provided with a supporting sleeve. generally designated 56, which is supported in the member 58 which also includes bearings, and device 22, which is similar in all respects to device 20, has the supporting sleeve 62 held in the support it. As will be apparent from Figure 2, the two yarn twisting units and the cabling unit are provided with drive pulleys engaging the same run of belt 42, pulley 81 for unit 20 and pulley I6 for unit 22 being positioned in front of such run of the belt 42 shown in Figure 2, and pulley 2B for unit 24 being positioned in back of such run of the belt. Thus pulleys III and B1 and the parts of units 20 and 22 connected thereto, respectively, rotate in one direction, and pulley iii of unit 24 and the parts connected to such pulley rotate in the opposite direction.

The structure of the yarn supplying and yarn twisting units 2li and 22 will be more readily understood by reference to Figures 5 and 6, which show in detail the structure of unit 22. The sup porting sleeve 62 is attached, as shown, to the intermediate support 64. Such sleeve carries iournaled within it an upright spindle of which the bottom portion is designated 68, and the upper axially bored portions integral therewith is designated II. A ball bearing 'II) is provided between the spindle and sleeve at the bottom ends of both, and a ball bearing 12 is provided between the spindle intermediate its ends and the upper end of the sleeve. The spindle thus rotates freely in its supporting sleeve.

The axial passage through the upper portion of the spindle is shown at 18. Such passage communicates at its lower end with a segmental slot 18, the inner wall of which is curved as shown. The upper end of spindle part 14 is provided with a yarn engaging twisting guide Ill) fastened thereto to rotate with the spindle. Guide Bil may be any one oi a number of conventional devices for such purpose. In its preferred form, such guide takes the form of two twisting blocks having generally flat confronting faces spaced slightly apart, between which the yarn travels. Such blocks may have a configuration similar to that of block i28 (Figure 11) except that their rear faces need not be rounded. The spindle 68 is rotated by means of the pulley 86 keyed thereto, the spindle also carrying the thread twisting delivery disc 82 having the radially directed cable tube 84 located therein, the inner end of which, as shown more clearly in Figure 6, communicates with the segmental slot I8. Rotation of the pulley 68, as is clearly apparent from Figures 5 and 6, rotates the disc 82 and twisting guide III.

Supported on the spindle in floating relationship therewith is the bobbin supporting structure, indicated generally at 86. Such structure includes the upstanding sleeve 88 surrounding spindle part 14, the sleeve being supported on the spindle through the medium of the upper ball bearing 90 and the lower ball bearing 92. Structure 88 also includes the radially directed disc portion 94 having the depending flange 96 thereon. Such structure 86 is provided at one zone with a weight, shown at 81 in the form of a cast lead mass, so that the floating bobbin supporting structure is unbalanced. When the structure shown in Figure 5 is mounted as shown in Figure l, with its axis at a substantial angle to the vertical, structure 88 tends to remain with the weight Ill positioned downwardly.

The bobbin shown at 98 is fixedly positioned on supporting structure Iii, the stationary tension device I00 being positioned within the bobbin and ooaxlally thereof by means of the supporting member shown at Hi2. Device 22 is covered by the outer can IIM attached to the outer face of flange 9B and by the conical cover I06 fitting on top of the can. When the device shown in Figure 6 is operated by driving pulley 6B, untwisted flat yarn, shown at I08, is fed from the bobbin into the upper end of the tension device I00. The yarn engaging paws of such device, subsequently to be more .iully described. are as stated, stationary,

with respect to the bobbin, and thus the yarn is given a first twist in the portion I IIi between tension device I00 and rotary twisting guide III. The single twisted thread, designated I I2, is fed downwardly through passage 10 in the spindle into cable tube 84, from the outer end of which it is fed upwardly to the stationary eye I I4, which is attached to a part of the machine frame. In that portion of its travel shown at Ill, from the outer edge of disc 82 to the eye III, the thread receives a further twist; thus the devices 20 and 22 shown are called double twisting spindles." The floating mounting of the bobbin support cushions the yarn against accelerations such as occur when the machine is started. When the machine has come up to speed and the parts have reached equilibrium, support ll. as stated, tends to float in one position and merely to rock thereabout rather than to rotate about the spindle.

Spindles 20 and 22, which may also be called two-jor-one" twisting spindles, efl'ect an operation which is sometimestermed two-for-one" twisting.

By reason of the rotation of disc 82 in each oi. spindles 20 and 22, each of the threads 28 and 22 fed from such spindles, respectively, upwardly through eye Iil forms a balloon which travels in free flight through the air, as indicated in Fig. 2. Eyes I it are located coaxially of the spindles and above them. as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, each eye I I being located the same distance from the top end of its respective spindle. Thus when the yarns forming threads 28 and 32 are substantially identical, because of the substantial identity of the spindles 2B and 22 and of the speeds at which they are rotated, the ballons formed in threads 28 and 32 in the portion I I6 of the run of each will be substantially identical in width and the tensions in such threads 28 and 32 will be substantially the same when the tension device "iii of each of spindles 20 and 22 is adjusted to the same point.

The stationary tension device IIIII, positioned within the bobbin 98, is more clearly shown in Figures 7-10, inclusive.

In Figures 7 and 8 the device is shown in side elevation in positions turned about its longitudinal axis. In Figure 9 it is shown in longitudinal section with the tension blocks together in operative relationship, and in Figure 10 it is shown with the springs which tend to thrust the tension blocks together relieved from contact with the blocks so that tension is removed from the yarn passing between such blocks.

The tension device comprises an elongated main body having a cylindrical upper end Ill and a lower end I20 generally square in crosssection. The upper end III has an axial bore I22 therethrough, and the lower end has an axial bore I24 through it, so that yarn may be passed longitudinally through the body. The lower end I20 is provided with a transverse passageway I28 within which the tension blocks I28 are slidably received. To facilitate removal of the tension blocks, body I2! is provided with a further transverse slot I29 at right angles to passageway I26, so that the blocks may be removed from the device through slot I29. The outer ends of slot I29 are partially covered, as shown in Figure 8, by the removable cover plates I21.

The tension blocks are generally in the shape of rectangular parallelopipeds, the outer ends I30 of which have a generally cylindrical configuration as shown. The inner yarn engaging face cases I82 of each block is flat. each block having on the upper edge thereof, which first meets the yarn in its travel thereby, a recess I84 in the shape of one-half a cone, the apex of which is positioned downwardly. when the two blocks I28 are pressed together the recesses I34 cooperate to lead the yarn therebetween in a path centrally thereof.

The two blocks I 28 are pressed together with a predetermined force, thus allowing a predetermined tension to be placed upon the yarn, by the leaf springs I88, one spring being positioned in each of the, oppositely disposed longitudinal slots I88 in the outer face of body I28. Each such spring has its lower end bent outwardly back upon itself, the spring being maintained in the slot by engagement of the hooked end I38 of such outer end of the spring partially around the crosspin I40 in slot I80. The forward end of the spring I42 is bent inwardly and then outwardly as shown. The configuration of the spring is such that, when the forward ends I42 are not pried apart, the springs lie flat upon the bottom or the slot in and press blocks me together, when no yarn is passing between them, so that their faces I82 are in contact.

The tension device is provided with a means whereby the amount of force imposed upon the blocks by the springs, and thus the tension upon the yarn passing through the device, may be varied. In the preferred embodiment, such means takes the form of the sleeve I44 fitting about body I I8, the sleeve having on its forward or lower end a shoulder I48 in the form of a cone converging toward the body I20. The sleeve may be adjusted longitudinally of body II8 by means of the nut I48 threaded upon the upper end of such body IIO. By rotating the nut I48 in such direction as to thrust sleeve I44 to the left, in Figure 9, the ends I42 of the springs may be biased outwardly by the shoulder I48 in predetermined amounts, thus varying the force which the springs I80 exert inwardly upon blocks I28. The configurations of shoulder I48 and ends I42 of the leaf springs, and the total length of travel of sleeve I44 to the left, are so selected that the sleeve may be thrust to its stable end position at the left, as shown in Figure 10, to allow the blocks I20 freely to be thrust apart by yarn passing through and thus to relieve the yarn of any retarding tension.

The structure of the cabling reel unit 24 will be more readily apparent from a consideration of Figures 12, i3, and 14. As shown in Figure 12, supporting sleeve 88 is fixedly attached to sup port 88 and carries, rotatably mounted within it, the spindle I82, the lower ball bearing I84 and the upper ball bearing I88 providing such support of the spindle in the sleeve. In its upper portion spindle I52 is provided with an axial bore I88 for the reception of a cord guide, as will more clearly appear hereinafter.

Floatingly mounted on the upper end of the spindle is a structure for supporting bobbin I82. Such structure includes the base member I80 supported on the spindle through the medium of the upper and lower ball bearings I84 and I88, respectively, and the mandrel I88 forming an extension of structure I80, the two parts I80 and I having upwardly converging conical surfaces, as shown, for supporting and driving connection with the inside of the bobbin I82.

The cabling reel unit of the invention includes means whereby the cabled yarn or cord is reeled with a predetermined amount of tension. Al-

though such tension determining means may take the form of a friction slip-clutch, in the preferred embodiment of the device there is employed a magnetic slip-clutch. Such device is made up of the outer cage member I18, shown attached to and depending from the bottom of structure I00, and the inner rotor member I12 keyed to the spindle I82. The structure of such magnetic slip-clutch, which will be more fully explained in connection with Figures 13 and 14, is such that rotation of member I12 within member I10, the latter of which includes a strong permanent magnet, induces current in the first member and thus yieldingly connects the two members for rotation together. Thus structure I and the bobbin mounted thereon is yieldingly driven from the spindle I82.

0n the spindle I02 there is also mounted a disc I14 which is fixedly connected. to the pulley 80. The disc I14 forms the base to which the cylindrical partial cover in the form of a can I18 is attached. Such can provides support for the U- shaped tubular cord guide I18, the outer leg I80 of which is secured in upright position to the inside of the can, the bottom portion I82 of which is positioned radially on top of disc I14, and the other or inner leg I84 of which is positioned within the bore I 88 in the upper end of the spindle I82.

Also mounted on the spindle I82 is the disc I88, which is floatlngly connected thereto through the medium of the ball bearings I81. Disc I08 serves as the support for the plurality of spaced upright standards I08, the tops of which are connected by the ring I80. Disc I88 is provided in one zone thereof with a heavy weight, such as the poured lead weight I88. so that the disc is unbalanced and that thus when the spindle is positioned at a substantial angle to the vertical. as indicated in Figure 1, the disc I08 and the structure attached thereto tend floatingly to remain in one angular position with weight I88 downwardly. Disc I80 also serves as support for the walker unit I82 and the frame therefor, more clearly shown in Figures 15 to 18, inclusive, by which the cord loading finger is supported and traversed up and down the length of the bobbin I82. In general such device includes the vertical rotatably mounted worm I84 driven from spindle I82 by means of the pulley I80 thereon, the flat belt I88 trained about such pulley and about pulley 200 on the bottom end of the worm. As shown in Figure 13, there is provided a spring tensioned idler pulley 202 about which such belt runs, the idler pulley being mounted on the end of the arm 204 pivotally mounted on disc I88, the arm being impelled outwardly by means of the coil spring 208.

The magnetic slip-clutch includes in its cage I10 the permanent magnet 280 the top surface of which is spaced from the bottom surface of part I80 as shown in Figures 12 and 14. Magnet 208 has a plurality of equally spaced pole pieces 2 I 0 formed on its inner, generally cylindrical surface. Buch magnet is preferably made from the materials having high permeability, such as the alloy composed of 24-30% Ni, 943% Al, balance Fe, and the alloy composed of 24-30% Ni, 9-1396 Al, 5i0% Co, balance Fe. The inner rotor I12 has its main body portion 2 made of soft annealed steel, there being provided on its periphery a sheath of non-magnetic metal 2I2 of high electrical conductivity, such as copper to provide a low resistance path for the eddy currents: It will be apparent that relative rotation between as,soo

parts "8 and H2 induces electric currents in part I12, as in the rotor of a squirrel cage motor. and'that the cage and rotor are thereupon coudimensioning of the parts allows the selection of a predetermined amount of tension on the cord wound on the bobbin I82 driven by easing I18 of the clutch.

Because normal operation of the device involves considerable slip between the rotor and cage and thus appreciable eddy currents, there is substantial heating of the rotor. Heat is dissipated therefrom by providing a series of vertical holes 2 through the body 2 of the rotor I12, a series of holes H5 in disc I88, and an air impeller in the form of a fan 8 keyed to the spindle beneath member I14. When the spindle is rotated cooling air is thus caused to flow, as shown by the arrows in Figure 12, upwardly through the rotor 2i i, thence laterally into the space between the top of magnet 288 and the bottom of part I68, and finally outwardly through a the angularly spaced radial openings I through the outer part of rotor I18 below the bottom surface of part I88.

The stepped capstan 88 at which the two twisted threads "and 82 are combined in untwisted side-by-side relationship also constitutes the means by which the number of turns per inch (pitch) in the cabling operation is governed. The capstan, which is shown with the three steps M8, 228, and 222 which are smoothly dished in axial cross-section, is driven at a speed bearing a definite relationship to the speed of rotation of the spindle I52, and thus at least approximately to the speed of rotation of the bobbin I82. The capstan, of course, receiving as it does threads 28 and 82 from units 28 and 22, respectively, also determines the rate of paying out of the single twisted threads from such units by at least substantially positively pulling the threads from the outer ends of the balloons in the threads created and maintained by their respective spindles 28 and 22. Variation in the number of turns per inch of the twist (pitch) in the single twisted threads may be accomplished by changing the diameter of drive pulleys 88 and 81 relative to that of pulley 88 driving the cabling reel unit. The surfaces of the steps H8, 228, and 222 of capstan 33 are each, in the embodiment shown, of partial toroidal shape. Such surfaces function. in the feeding of the combined but untwisted threads, in a manner more fully set out hereinafter.

The capstan 88 is ailixed to the forward end of the cross shaft 224 journaled in pillow blocks on the top of the machine frame. Such shaft is driven through the medium of chain 228 which runs over sprocket 228 on the rear end thereof, and sprocket 242 on drive shaft 238, shown at the bottom in Figure 2. An adjustably positioned idler sprocket 288 is provided to maintain the chain 228 taut. Shaft 238 is driven from spindle i52 by means of the worm 282 afiixed to the bottom of the spindle, such worm meshing with worm gear 284 keyed on the forward end of shaft 288, the shaft being journaled in pillow blocks, as shown, on the machine frame. Because spindle I52 is positioned at an angle to the vertical, a universal joint 248, shown for simplicity in straight condition in Figure 3, but actually driving through a marked angle in the device shown in Figure l, is employed. As above explained in connection with the manner of supporting member '48, the front part 58 of the frame cross member, which is disposed at right angles to spindle I52. is, in the actual machine, tipped at an angle to the horizontal equal to that which spindle I82 makes with the vertical. Part 8| of the frame cross member. and shafts 224 and 288 are horizontal in the actual device.

Major changes in the speed ratio between shaft I52 and shaft 224, and thus changes in the number of turns per inch (the pitch) in the cabling operation. are effected by the use of suitable ratios of sprockets 228 and 242. Minor changes in the pitch of the cabled cord. that is, number of turns per unit length. are made by shifting the threads 28 and 82 to the appropriate step of the capstan. such steps filling smoothly the gaps in the speed ratio obtainable by sprocket changes.

Each of steps H8, 288, and 222 of capstan 88, besides acting as a gathering point for the threads delivered from the twisting spindles 28 and 22. also functions as anautomatic tension compensator and equalizer. The threads continually try to travel to the end of the step over which they are trained, because the speed of the end and thus its frictional drag on the threads is greater than that of the center of the step. slippage between threads and capstan step, however, limits travel of the threads toward the end of the step. The continual movement or "walking of the threads axially of the capstan step tends to even out variations in tension in the threads. Thus the capstan 88, together with the compensator and shock absorber 85, [function to feed the threads to be cabled to the cabling spindle under uniform tension] applies a compensating tension to the threads passing thereover to control the balloons of the spindles 20 and 22, and functions to feed the threads to be cabled to the cabling spindle under uniform tension. As a result, the balloon a device 24 is also controlled by the compensating tension applied to the combined as yet uncabled, threads passing over capstan 33 and through device 35.

The combined threads 28 and 82 untwisted on each other, fed from the capstan 88, travel to the compensator and shock-absorber 85 shown in Figure 2. Such device. which has an elongated horizontally disposed main frame 244, is supported from member l8 of the machine frame by the depending support 248. The compensator includes a thread guide pulley 248, the supporting block 2 of which is mounted for longitudinal travel on the longitudinal rod 258 supported by the body 244, parallel thereto but spaced therefrom, pulley 248 being thrust to the right in Figure 2 by means of the compression spring 282. Block 25i is bored to receive rod 288 therethrough, a key connection (not shown) being provided between block and rod to prevent turning the block on the rod. The compensator is further provided with a fixed idler pulley 254 and a dead eye 258 as shown in Figure 2. so that the combined threads fed downwardly from the capstan are first led over pulley 248, thence to I], hetweeneyel andoordguidei88issymmet'ricalabouttheakisofapindlofl.

Theconstructionofthewalkerunit I82 and oftheframeonwhichittravelswillbaclearly apparent by a consideration of Figures 18 to 18. inclusive. The frame on which such unit travels is mounted on the cabling reel unit 28. as shown in Figures 12 and 13, parallel to the axis of the spindle I82. such frame consists of the bottom cross member 288, a similar top member 288. a first longitudinally extending frame member 282. and a second such member 288 parallel thereto. One of the standards I88 is. as shown, also utilined in forming such frame. Such frame is attached between the disc I88 and the top I88 so as to be fixed thereon. x

The two longitudinal members 282 and 288 are provided with inwardly facing rack gears 288 and 288, respectively. the bottoms of such rack gears being connected by a short horizontal rack 218. The walker unit I82 is made up of the front plate 212 and the rear plate 218, such plates being connected by suitable cross members, of which one is shown at 218 in the form of a bottom plate for such unit. The unit I82 is mounted and guided on the framework so as to ,travel from top to bottom thereof, such travel being effected as follows; the worm I84 is. as we have seen, driven by spindle I82 through the medium of belt I88, and pulleys I88 and 288. The walker unit I82 has mounted therein a transverse shaft 288 on one end of which there is affixed the worm gear 218 meshing with worm I88. Also keyed to shaft 288 is a pinion 282. Journaled on the walker unit frame coaxially of shaft 288 is a cage 288 which is provided with a crossshaft 288 can'ying a pinion 288-constantly in mesh with pinion 282. Pinion 288 has a diameter somewhat less than the distance between rack gears 288 and 288. Thus, rocking of the cage 288 in a clockwise direction (Figure 15) causes pinion 288 to mesh with rack gear 288 and rocking of such case in a counter-clockwise direction frees pinion 288 from contact with rack 288 and causes it to mesh with rack 288. The cage is provided with an arm at 288 and with a cam follower 282 on the end thereof, such cam follower cooperating with the upstanding cam track 288 affixed to frame member 282. The cam track is provided at its bottom with an opening 288 through which the cam follower 282 may pass. The cam track terminates at its upper end at 288. In order to position cage 288 stably, a coil spring 28| is positioned between the arm and the frame of the walker unit to urge the cage in a clockwise direction, as shown in Figure 15.

From the above description the manner of operation of the walker unit will be apparent. R- tation of worm I88 in one direction drives worm wheel 218 and thus pinions 282 and 288, causin such latter pinion to climb up or down the rack with which it is in mesh carrying with it the unit I82. Assume for example, that the worm is driven in such direction that the walker unit is progressing downwardly (Figure When pinion 288 reaches the bottom of rack 288 it then meshes with transverse rack 218, which causes cage 288 to be rocked counter-clockwise, against the action of spring 28!, since at this point the cam follower 282 lies opposite opening 288 in the cam track. The follower then travels upwardly to the right of the track, thus preventing the spring 2iil from returning the cage to its former position. Pinion 288 then meshes with rack 288. and, still rotating in the same direction, causes the walker unit to climb in the f The continuestravelinsuchdirectionuntiithe follower 282 clears the upper end 288 of the track. Spring 2" then turns the cage clockwise tocauseittoassumethepositionshowninmme 18, so that the unit then again travels downwardly. r

The walker unit above described forms the support by which the loading finger is traversed up and down the length of the bobbin I88. Support for such finger on the walker unit is afforded by the mounting plate 888, to which the loading finger and the support therefor more clearly shown-in Figures 20, 2 and 22, are attached.

Such loading finger support consists of the main body 882 which is pivotally mounted on an axis parallel to the axis of the bobbin on the attaching means 888. Means 888 in turn, is attached to plate 888. Means 888 has two spaced ears 888 between which are received the spaced ears 8l2 on the rear end of body 882. A shaft 888 is received in openings through the two pairs of aforementioned ears, being pinned as shown to cars 888. A toothed or ratchet wheel 8" is positioned on shaft 888 between ears 8i! and is pinned to such shaft. There is provided a pawl in the form of leaf spring 8, the forward end of which is secured to the body and the rear end of which normally impinges on the ratchet wheel. It will be seen, particularly by considering Figure 21, that when the pawl 8 is in operative relationship, body 882 may be swung quite freely in a clockwise direction but it is prevented from moving counter-clockwise by the pawl. Thus the loading finger mounted on body 882 is prevented from becoming jammed against the bobbin "2 or the cord 81 wound thereon. The finger is initially positioned by being placed in contact with the bobbin or the cord wound thereon, at its greatest diameter, after which the finger is automatically thrust outwardly at each repeated contact between it and the portion of the wound cord of greatest diameter. The pawl may be released to swing the body 882 counter-clockwise, when required, by means of the plunger 8" which when pressed upwardly (Figure 21) removes the rear end of the pawl from contact with the ratchet wheel M8.

The loading finger, shown generally at 8", is adjustably mounted on the forward end of the body 882 so that it may be varied in its effective length. The forward end of the finger is provided with a guide shoe 828 which lies close to or engages, as the case may be, the outer layer of cord on the bobbin, thus insuring correct placement of the cord being laid. Body 882 is also provided with an idler pulley 822 under which cord 88 travels prior to its entry in the guide opening in the shoe 828.

The cabling reel unit 28 is also provided with an upwardly and inwardly inclined guide arm 828 positioned on top of ring [88, such arm carrying the upper idler guide pulley 828 and the lower idler guide pulley 828. The two threads 28 and 82, combined, as explained, in untwisted parallel relationship at the capstan 88 travel in that condition through the compensator 88. Immediately on emerging from eye 288 the two threads are cabled. The first twist of such cabling is given them in that portion of their travel in which the cord forms a loop or balloon which travels in free flight through the air, that is from the eye 288 to leg I88 of the cord guide tube, by reasonof the rotation of the disc I" and thus the cord guide carried thereby. Such first twisted cord is then given a. second twist, in the some direction, in that portion of its travel, shown at 80, from the inner end of leg I82 of the cord guide to upper guide pulley 826. The cabling or take-up reel or twisting unit 24 thus functions to "two-for-one twist the elongated flexible material such as the cord passing thereinto, and may properly be called a "two-for-one" twisting and coiling spindle. The double twisted cord then travels downwardly around the guide wheel 828, under guide wheel 322 on the walker unit, and thence to the shoe 320 of the loading finger SIB where it is laid on the bobbin I62 to form the wound package 31.

The overall operation of the illustrative embodiment may be summarized as follows:

The yarn extending from each of the singles or supply twisters and 22 undergoes one twist per spindle revolution while in the twister and is given a second twist by being spun around the twister or source of supply in the form of a freeflying balloon which exerts centrifugally a pull at its supply end counteracted by the back tension of the tensioning device on the twister spindle. A similar pull or tension exists on the twisted material at the other or outer end of this balloon, From there the material extends over the gathering pulley and the compensator in gathered relation to similar material extending from the other supply balloon, and thence it enters directly into the outer end of the central cabling or take-up balloon which. spins freely around the take-up twister 24. The cabling or take-up balloon exerts centrifugally a pull on the material opposing the pull exerted thereon by the supply balloon or balloons, and difierences between these opposing pulls or tensions are compensated by the frictional slip driving action of the gathering pulley and/or the variable drag of the spring tensioned compensator. Thus the several balloon formations are continuously maintained even though the materials undergo continuous longitudinal travel from the yarn supply bobbins to the cord storage bobbin.

The material at the inner or lower end of the cabling or take-up balloon extends into the flyer and spindle of the take-up twister and thence is drawn in and rocket on the bobbin of this twister. having been twisted once per take-up twister revolution while in the flying balloon and twisted a second time while passing to and through the spindle. Since the supply and take-up balloons spin in a counterbalanced relation and automaticallymaintain balancing tensions at their respective outer and inner ends, the continuous positive drawing or winding in of the cabled material simply causes continuous longitudinal travel of the materials through the balloons from the supply bobbins to the cord bobbin, and in the course of this travel two complete two-for-one twistings are imported to produce a multiple twisted material or cord of high quality in a simple and economical manner.

The capstan or gathering pulley 33, referred to above, imposes compensating tension upon the strands passing around it from the singles balloons and extending to the central or cabling balloon, by reason of the following: capstan 33 is rotated by a positive drive connection at a speed correlated to the speed of the singles twisters and the speed c f the cabling twister, and has frictional engagement with the gathered strands wrapped around it. The gathering means thus serves as a tension-producing means, or in other words as a compensating tension imposing means,

in either of two ways: when the conditions of operation are such that the tension in the mathered strands entering the cabling balloon exceeds the sum of the counteracting tensions in the strands leaving the singles balloons, which is the case when the apparatus of the invention is used for twisting rayon yarns into cord, to form a cord such as tire cord, the gathering pulley imposes a frictional resistance against travel of the strands at a speed greater than its peripheral speed and thus counteracts the excess tension of the cabling balloon. Under these conditions the gathering means retards the travel of the gathered strands, and its drive connection can serve only to control the rate of strand travel by restraining the rotation of the gathering means. If the conditions of operation are such that the sum of the tension of the strands leaving the singles balloons is greater than the tension in the gathered strands entering the cabling balloon, th gathering pulley 33 overcomes the excess tension on the singles side of the system and thus serves as a driving means to keep the strands advancing into the cabling balloon at a substantially constant speed. In the particular form of apparatus shown, the magnitude of the retarding counter tension or the forwarding pull exerted on the strands by the gathering means, according to the conditions of use of the machine, depends upon the resistance existing at the pulley 33 against free movement of the strands, i. e., in this form upon the resistance exerted by the pulley against free relative motion or slippage between the gathered strands and the pulley; and this in turn is affected by several factors including the area of contact therebetween, the shape of the pulley, and the coemcient of friction between the strands and the pulley.

The strand guiding eyes 114 of the singles spindles 20 and 22 and the similar guiding eye 256 of the doubles spindle 24 are all positioned coamially of their respective flyers and, in the embodiment shown, in fixed positions at definite distances therefrom so that the strand portions forming the balloons at the respective spindles can be whirled about the axes of the spindles as free-flyin loops or balloons having distinctly bowed forms and each having a definite height as measured from the flyer to the corresponding eye. In the doubles spindle 24 the laying of the cord upon the bobbin is efiected without change of the balloon height by action of the cord traversing or "walker unit," previously described, rather than by axial travel of one spinning part of the spindle relative to another spinnin part of the spindle as in some known multiple twisting spindles.

The bowed form of the balboning strand portion between the eye and the flyer of each spindle and the extension of that portion from a source under a definite tension enable each strand portion to keep itself in a substantially stable flying condition while it is being twisted in the balloon. When its bowing or radius of rotation is reduced by its twisting action or by an excess travel of the strand from the balloon, its pull on the incoming material will increase so as to draw additional material into the balloon and thus restore a normal position; while if its bowing is increased its pull on the incoming material will decrease. Since material leaving the balloon of each singles or supply spindle at its guiding eye extends to the eye and thence into the separate balloon of an isolated cabling or take-up spindle, a constriction of the latter balloon can cause a corresponding change in the singles bglloon or balloons.

which in turn can correct itself through the attendant pull of each singles balloon on the matetinuously and without stoppage of the material,

the cord resulting therefrom is characterized by its uniformity. This follows from the fact that the twisting of all threads and that of the threads together to form a cord, are all correlated, thus insuring the production of a cord of accurately predetermined uniform construction. The process, and the use of the apparatus of the invention, are also distinguished by their speed, their economy. and their lack of necessity for the continuous attention of an operator.

Whereas I have described and illustrated preferred embodiments of the method, the apparatus. and the component units of the apparatus. of the invention, it will be understood that the invention in its broader aspects is capable of considerable variation as to details. The invention is therefore, not limited to the embodiments thereof shown and described, but is defined by the scope of the following claims.

I claim as new the following:

[1. The method of forming stranded cord from a plurality of yarns in on continuous operation, comprising the following steps in the order named: feeding each of a plurality of yarns in the direction of its length from its separate source of supply, during such feeding separately twisting the yarns to form threads, gathering such threads into generally parallel relationship, forwarding such threads in such relationship, forming a loop under yielding tension in such forwarded threads, feeding the threads together from the loop, and twisting the thus fed gathered threads together to form a cord, the first twisting, the gathering, the 1009 8, and the second twisting steps being performed with the material continuously in motion] [2. The method of forming stranded cord from a plurality of yarns in one continuous operation, comprising the following steps in the order named: feeding each of a plurality of yarns in the direction of its length from its separate source of supply, during such feeding separately twisting the yams all in the same hand to form threads, gathering such threads into generally parallel relationship, forwarding such threa'ds in such relationship, forming a loop under yielding tension in such forwarded threads, feeding the threads together from the loop, and twisting the thus fed gathered threads together in the other hand to form a cord, the first twisting, the gathering, the looping, and the second twisting steps being performed with the material continuously in motion, the speed of gathering and forwarding of the threads to the loop governing the speed of withdrawal of the yarns from their sources] 3. The method of forming stranded cord from a plurality of yarns in one continuous operation, comprising [the following steps in the order namedz] withdrawing each of a plurality of yarns 16 from its separate source in the direction of its length, separately twisting such yarns [each such yarn] each in a. free living loop [the same pre-' determined amount in th same hand] to form threads, gathering such threads by whirling a free loop of each yarn about its source in a separate orbit in approximately parallel relationship while continuing the travel of the material. forwarding the gathered threads into a free flii M loop thereof yieldingly maintained under tension, feeding the threads together from such loop and] while whirling such loop in an orbit isolated from the orbits of the yarn balloons, thereby twisting the thus fed gathered threads together [in the hand opposite the direction of twist of the individual threads] to form a cord, and yieldingly coiling the resulting cord within the orbit of the whirling loop of gathered threads, the twisting of the threads together being so conducted as to form a cord of predetermined pitch, such pitch having a predetermined relation to the pitch of the individual twisted threads, the speed of gathering and forwarding of the gathered threads governing the speed of withdrawal of the yarns from their sources. all of such steps being performed with the material continuously in motion.

4. An apparatus for forming stranded cord from a plurality of yarns in one continuous operation, comprising a plurality of yarn supplying and twisting spindles, each spindle including means for feeding yarn from the spindle and a rotary driven means to twist the yarn into a thread while it is fed from the spindle, means for driving the rotary twisting means of each spindle in such direction as to twist the threads in the same hand. means in the form of a driven sheave receiving the threads from the spindles for feeding them ofl their spindles and for gathering and forwarding them, means receiving the gathered threads including a caller, rotary driven means for twisting threads together, before they pass to the coiler, in the hand opposite to the twist of the individual threads to form a cord, means for driving the sheave and the last named rotary twisting means at a predetermined speed relationship. the material traveling continuously from the sources of supply of the yarn to the collar, and looper means interposed between the sheave and the last named twisting means to store an excess length of gathered threads yieldingly under tension.

5. An apparatus for forming stranded cord from a plurality of yams in one continuous operation. comprising a plurality of yarn twisting spindles, each such spindle including a source of supply of yarn and rotary means for twisting the yarn into a twisted thread of the same hand. means for driving the rotary twisting means of each spindle. means for gathering and forwarding such threads from the spindles, and means for twisting together the threads in the hand opposite to the twist of the individual threads to form a cord, such last named means being a collar including a driven rotary cord receiving bobbin. rotary means for twisting the threads together before they are delivered to the bobbin, and means for driving the last named rotary twisting means in synchronism with the rotary twisting means of the spindles, the material traveling continuously from the sources of supply of the yarn through the gathering and forwarding means and to the cord twisting means, and loops: means interposed between the gathering and forwarding means and the cord twisting means to store an 17 excess length of gathered threads yieldinsly under tension.

6. An apparatus for forming stranded cord from a plurality of yarns in one continuous operation, a plurality of yarn twisting spindles, each such spindle including a bobbin support, a yarn containing bobbin thereon. and rotarydrivenmeanstotwisttheyarnlntoa thread while it is fed oil the bobbin, menu for driving the rotary twisting means of each spindle in such direction as to twist the yarns in the same hand. means in the form of a driven sheave receiving the threads from the twisting spindles for feeding their yarns oi! their bobbins and for gathering and forwarding the threads. and means receiving the gathered threads for twisting them together in the hand opposite to the twist of the individual threads to form a cord. the last named means being a ceiling device which includes a bobbin support, a bobbin thereon. means to feed the gathered threads to the bobbin and to wind them thereon. rotary driven means to twist the threads together as they are fed to the bobbin. and means to drive the sheave and the last named rotary twisting means at speeds in synchronism with the speed of the rotary yarn twisting means of the spindles. the material traveling continuously from the sources oi supply of the yarn to the ceiling device, and looper means interposed between the sheave and the cord twisting means to store an excess length of gathered threads yieldingly under tension.

7. An apparatus for forming stranded cord from a plurality oi yarns in one continuous operation, comprising a plurality of yarn twisting spindles each such spindle including a bobbin support, a yarn containing bobbin thereon. and rotary driven means to twist the yarn into a thread while it is fed oil the bobbin, means for driving the rotary twisting means of each spindle in such direction as to twist the yarns in the same hand, means in the form of a driven sheave receiving the threads from the twisting spindles and thereby feeding their yarns of! their bobbins. and for gathering and forwarding the threads, looper means receiving the gathered threads to store an excess length of gathered threads yieldingly under tension, and means for receiving the gathered threads from the looper for twisting them together in the hand opposite to the twist of the individual threads to form a cord, the last named means being a ceiling device which includes a driven rotary bobbin support, a cord collecting bobbin thereon, means to feed the gathered threads to the cord collecting bobbin and to wind them thereon, a rotary driving means, a slip drive means interposed between the rotary driving means and the collecting bobbin support. rotary twisting means driven by the rotary driving means to twist the threads together as they are fed from the looper means to the cord collecting bobbin, and means connecting the sheave and the rotary driving means to maintain their speeds in synchronism with the speed of the rotary yarn twisting means of the spindles, the material traveling continuously from the sources of supply of the yarn to the cord collecting bobbin.

8. The method of forming stranded cord from a plurality of yarns in one continuous operation comprising [the following steps in the order namedz] feeding each of a plurality of yams in the direction of its length from its separate source of supply, imposing a predetermined back tension on each such yarn, during such feeding and after the yarn has left the location of the imposition of the back tension. forming a free-flying balloon in each such yarn and separately twisting the yarns in such balloons to form threads by whirling each balloon around its pom source in a separate orbit, the axis of the balloon in each yarn extending [in] or generally the same direction as that of each [of the] other [yarns] worn, gathering such threads into generally parallel relationship at a point beyond the balloon in each. the location of gathering of the threads being generally the same distance from the outer end of each balloon. forwarding such threads in such generally parallel relationship, forming a free flying loop under yielding tension in such forwarded threads, feeding the threads together from the loop I. and] while whirling the loop in an orbit isolated {mm the orbits of the porn balloons, thereby twisting the [thus fed] gathered threads together in such free flying loop to form a cord, and coiling the cord within the orbit of such loop. the first twisting, the gathering [,1 [the loopingJ and the second twisting steps being performed with the material continuously in motion. a

9. The method of forming stranded cord from a plurality of yarns in one continuous operation comprising [the following steps in the order namedz] feeding each of a plurality of yarns in the direction of its length from its separate source of supply. imposing a predetermined back tension on each such yarn, forming a balloon in each such yarn and separately twisting the yams to form threads, the axis of the balloon [in] of each yarn extending in generally thesame direction as that of each [of the] other yarn [yarns], gathering such threads into generally parallel relationship at a point beyond the balloon in each. the location of gathering of the threads being substantially the same distance from the outer end of each balloon, forwarding such threads in such generally parallel relationship. forming a loop under yielding tension in such forwarded threads, feedin the threads together from the loop, twisting the thus fed gathered threads together to form a cord, during the last named twisting step forming a balloon in the cord, withdrawing the twisted cord from the last named balloon, and yieldingly coiling such cord. the first twisting, the gathering, the looping. and the second twisting steps being performed with the material continuously in motion.

10. An apparatus for forming stranded cord from a plurality of yarns in one continuous operation comprising a plurality of similar yarn twisting spindles, the spindles being of the type which delivers the twisted thread therefrom in a balloon, means incorporated in each twisting spindle for imposing a predetermined back tension on the yarn, the axes of the spindles being generally parallel, each such spindle twisting a yarn into a twisted thread as the yarn passes therethrough, means for gathering and forwarding such threads in generally parallel relationship, said last named means being located at the delivery ends of the spindles and substantially equally spaced from each spindle, means receiving the threads from the gathering and forwarding means for twisting together the gathered threads to form a cord, the material traveling continuously from the sources of supply of the yarn to the last named means, and [looper] tension compensating means [interposed] acting on the gathered threads passing toward [between the gathering and forwarding 19 a means and] the last recited twisting means. [to store an excess length gathered threads yieldingly under tension.]

11. An apparatus icr forming stranded cord from a plurality of yarns in one continuous operation, comprising a plurality of similar twistin spindles, the spindles being of the type which delivers the twisted thread therefrom in a balloon, means incorporated in each twisting spindle for imposing a predetermined back tension on the yarn, the axes of each such balloon generally coinciding with the axis of its spindle, the axes of the twisting spindles being generally parallel, means for gatherirm and forwarding the threads from the twisting spindles, such last named being located beyond the outer end of each of the balloons from the twisting spindles and being spaced at substantially equal distances from the axes of the spindles, a cablin spindle for twisting together the thus forwarded threads to form a cord, the cabling spindle including a cord receiving bobbin, means i'or twisting the threads together before they are delivered to the bobbin, and means for driving the last named twisting means in synchronism with the twisting spindles, the material traveling contlnuously from the sources of suppLv of the yarn through the gathering and forwardin means and to the cabling spindle and [looper] tension compensating means [interposed] acting on the gathered threads passing toward [between the gathering and forwarding means and] the cabling spindle. [to store an excess length of gathered threads yieldingly under tension] 12. An apparatus for forming stranded cord from a plurality of yarns in one continuous operation, comprising a plurality of similar twisting spindles each incorporating its source of yarn supply, the spindles being of the type which delivers the twisted thread therefrom in a balloon, means incorporated in each twisting spindle for imposing a predetermined back tension on the yarn, the axis of each such balloon generally coinciding with the axis of its spindle, the

axes of the twisting spindles being generally parallel, means for gathering and forwarding the threads from the twisting spindl such last named means being located beyond the outer end of each of the balloons from the twisting spindles and being spaced at substantially equal distances from the axes oi the spindles, a cabling spindle oi the type creating, and receiving material irom, a balloon for twisting together the thus forwarded threads to form seem, the cabling spindle including a driven rotary cord receiving bobbin, rotary means for receiving and twisting the threads together before they are delivered to the bobbin. and means for driving the last named rotary twisting means in synchronism with the twisting spindles. the material traveling continuously from the sources of supply of the yarn through the gathering and forwarding means and to the cabling spindle, and [looper] tension compensating means [interposed] acting on the gathered threads passin toward [between the gathering and forwardin means and] the cabling spindle. [to store an excess length of gathered threads yieldingly under tension] 13. An apparatus for forming stranded cord from a plurality of yarns in one continuous operation, comprising a plurality of similar twisting spindles each incorporating its source of yarn supply. the spindles being of the type which delivers the twisted thread therefrom in 7 ation,

a balloon, means incorporated in each twisting spindle for imposing a predetermined back tension on the yarn. the axis of each such balloon generally coinciding with the axis of its spindle, the axes of the twisting spindles being generally parallel, means for gathering and forwarding the threads from the twisting spindles. the last named means including a driven capstan having a step smoothly dished in axial section. thread from each twisting spindle being led under tension from its balloon substantially directly to and around the capstan step, such capstan being located beyond the outer end of each 0! the balloons from the twisting spindles and being spaced at substantially equal distanceg from the axes of the spindles, a cabling spindle oi the. type creating, and receiving material irom, a balloon for twisting together the thus forwarded threads to form a cord, the cabling spindle including a driven rotary cord receiving bobbin. rotary means for receiving and twisting the threads together before they are delivered to the bobbin, and means for driving the last named rotary twisting means in synchronism with the twisting spindles. the material traveling continuously from the sources of supply of the yarn to the capstan and to the cabling spindle, and [looper] tension compensating means [interposed] acting on the gathered threads passing toward [between the capstan and] the cabling spindle. [to store an excess length of gathered threads yieldingly under tension.

14. An apparatus for forming stranded cord from a plurality of yarns in one continuous operation, comprising a plurality of similar doubletwist twisting spindles each incorporating its source of yarn supply, the spindles being of the type which delivers the twisted thread therefrom in a balloon, means incorporated in each twisting spindle for imposing a predetermined back tension on the yarn. the axis of each such balloon generally coinciding with the axis of its spindle, the axes of the twisting spindles being generally parallel, means for gathering and forwarding the threads from the twisting spindles, the last named means including a driven capstan having a step smoothly dished in axial section. thread from each twisting spindle being led under tension from its balloon substantially directly to and around the capstan step, such capstan being located beyond the outer end of each of the balloons from the twisting spindles and being spaced at substantially equal distances from the axes oi the spindles, a double-twist cabling spindle of the type creating. and receiving material from, a balloon for twisting together the thus iorwarded threads to form a cord. the cabling spindle including a driven rotary cord receiving bobbin. rotary means for receiving and twisting the threads together before they are delivered to the bobbin, and means for driving the last named rotary twisting means in synchronisrn with the twisting spindles, the material traveling continuously from the sources of supply of the yarn to the capstan and to the cabling spindle, and [looper] tension compensatiny means [interposed] acting on the pathered threads passing toward [between the capstan and] the cabling spindle. [to store an excess liiangtlh of gathered threads yieldingly under tens on.

15. An apparatus for forming stranded cord from a plurality of yarns in one continuous opercomprising a plurality of similar yarn 

